Partially uprooted tree threatens Lake Oswego homes after winter storm

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Residents in Lake Oswego are between a tree and a hard place as a 150-foot evergreen that is partially uprooted remains precariously on the verge of crashing into someone’s home. 

This all comes after last week’s arctic blast-fueled winter storm has likely caused well over 1,000 trees to come down and create hazards on roadways and damaged structures in all three counties across the Portland metro region. 

The Catch 22 in this case is that the homeowners say they’ve asked their insurance company for help, but because the tree has not yet fallen on the home, they won’t do anything. Meanwhile, because the tree is so off balance and not easily accessible, out-of-pocket costs for removing the Douglas fir could range anywhere between $30k-$100k. 

The tree is visibly leaning to one side, with some of its roots already coming up out of the ground. Now, police say it isn’t safe for Natalie or her son to live underneath its branches since it could crash into the home at any moment now. Natalie’s neighbor has also vacated their home due to the tree. Yet, insurance won’t cover the cost to get it out. 

"They don't cover imminent threats, that's what they said," said Stephanie Ladd, a neighbor whose says the tree in her backyard is putting her home in danger.

Natalie was staying at her mother's home when she became aware of the problematic tree.

"The police came and ordered us out and an arborist visiting a neighbor heard the sound of the tree and came to investigate to make sure no one was in the house," Natalie said.

Ladd and Natalie said they have inquired to a climbing crew about removing it — which would have been the cheapest option. However, they wouldn’t proceed with the job due to it being unsafe. The next option is to use cranes. But because of how the tree is situated, they would need a larger crane to reach from behind a row of houses, costing approximately $30k. Depending on the situation, it may even require two cranes costing $50k or even a helicopter costing $100k. 

Because insurance won’t step in for the cost of removing the tree unless it falls on a home, having the tree fall may be their best hope. 

“I hope they safely remove the tree ASAP and we can all get back in our houses,” Natalie said. 

"My husband was the one to say I find it offensive to just let it fall on the house,” Ladd said. “I'm not doing that so we have to come up with something.”

KOIN 6 News reached out to the three insurance companies who’ve been contacted about this situation. Only one of them replied back but their response did not answer any of the questions asked.

The Ladds have started a GoFundMe page to help offset the out-of-pocket costs of removing the tree.